As Virgin River fans anxiously await the premiere of Season 7, many are looking for something to fill the emotional void left behind by Mel and Jack’s slow-burning love story and the picturesque serenity of their small-town lives. While the cameras are rolling on Virgin River’s next chapter — with filming for Season 7 having kicked off in March 2025 and a fall release looking likely — there’s another charming series quietly waiting in the wings to win your heart.
Enter Hart of Dixie, a delightful, underrated gem that might just be the perfect show to keep you company until your next Virgin River binge.
A Town You’ll Never Want to Leave
Before there was Virgin River, there was Bluebell, Alabama.
Hart of Dixie premiered in 2011, long before Netflix introduced us to the misty pines and rugged charm of Virgin River, but it strikes a remarkably similar emotional chord. Both shows ask the same soul-searching question: What happens when a woman from the city is dropped into a rural town full of strangers — and told to stay?
The answer, it turns out, is a whole lot of self-discovery, unexpected love, and heartwarming community ties.
In Hart of Dixie, Rachel Bilson stars as Dr. Zoe Hart, a brash, fast-talking New Yorker whose dreams of becoming a top-tier heart surgeon are upended when she fails to land a residency in Manhattan. Her only job offer? A small-town general practice in a place called Bluebell, left to her by a father she never knew. Begrudgingly, Zoe heads south — stilettos and sarcasm in tow — expecting a pit stop. What she finds is something entirely different.
The Southern Charm of Second Chances
Like Virgin River’s Mel Monroe, Zoe is initially out of her element — too polished, too guarded, too big-city for this sleepy Southern town. But just as Mel found purpose and healing in her new home, Zoe begins to uncover what really matters: connection, growth, and community. And Bluebell delivers all three in abundance.
With a colorful cast of characters, including lovable mayor Lavon Hayes, former flame George Tucker, and roguish bad boy Wade Kinsella, the show mixes romantic entanglements with sincere emotional beats. The heart of the story is always about Zoe’s transformation — from outsider to integral part of the town she once couldn’t wait to leave.
It’s not all love triangles and quirky town festivals (though there are plenty of both). Much like Virgin River, Hart of Dixie shines in its quieter moments — showing how grief, regret, and longing are soothed not by time, but by people.
More Heart, Less Heartbreak
If you’re hesitant about jumping into a new series because Virgin River set the bar so high, fear not. While Hart of Dixie has its fair share of emotional twists, it’s never cruel to its characters. It’s a show that believes in hope, in healing, and in the idea that even the most broken people can start over.
This tone — earnest but never sappy, dramatic but never cruel — is exactly what Virgin River fans love. Whether it’s Doc and Hope navigating love later in life or Preacher becoming a father figure, Virgin River finds magic in the mundane. Hart of Dixie does the same.
The Streaming Situation: Where to Watch
Unlike Virgin River, which is a Netflix original, Hart of Dixie originally aired on The CW. That means it’s not available on Netflix — but don’t worry. You can stream all four seasons now on Amazon Prime Video, which has become the new home for this Southern comfort series.
Even better, Prime Video currently offers a limited-time deal: $7.49/month for the first three months — more than enough time to watch all 76 episodes. That’s plenty of porch swings, love confessions, and small-town hijinks to get you through the Virgin River drought.
Why It’s the Perfect Watch for Virgin River Fans
Still not convinced? Here’s a quick breakdown of why Hart of Dixie is a perfect emotional match:
| Virgin River | Hart of Dixie |
|---|---|
| Woman starts over in remote town | Woman starts over in remote town |
| Medical setting, with community focus | Medical setting, with community focus |
| Love triangle between complicated men | Love triangle between complicated men |
| Healing from past trauma/loss | Healing from past trauma/loss |
| Small-town festivals and traditions | Small-town festivals and traditions |
| Gorgeous scenery and escapist vibe | Gorgeous scenery and escapist vibe |
| Characters who grow and evolve over time | Characters who grow and evolve over time |
While Virgin River often leans into deeper drama and mystery (hello, hidden pregnancies and long-lost siblings), Hart of Dixie keeps things a little lighter — making it a soothing, cheerful watch that never forgets the importance of a good love story.
Final Thoughts: Comfort TV at Its Finest
Let’s face it — waiting for Season 7 of Virgin River is hard. But if you’re craving more stories of love, community, and emotional rebirth set against a charming small-town backdrop, Hart of Dixie could be your next favorite comfort show.
It’s got the heart. It’s got the charm. And it just might remind you why you fell in love with Virgin River in the first place.
